It comes at little surprise that Brisbane Lions Vice-Captain Harris Andrews is making his 150-game about others instead of himself.
The dual All-Australian will bring up the milestone and life membership for the Club when he runs out onto the MCG against Melbourne in Thursday night’s top-of-the-ladder clash.
When he does so, the Brisbane Lions Academy product hopes his achievement will help motivate other aspiring Queensland footballers to follow their AFL dreams
“It is something to be extremely proud of,” Andrews said.
“Sort of setting a bit of an example for the academy you know for young Brisbane and Queensland talents to come out and play in the AFL.
“I feel like I’ve been very fortunate to be a part of the academy and the opportunity to come to the local club and play at the Lions is something I am extremely grateful for.
“I am very proud, very thankful for the club and everyone that’s been a part of my journey, my family and my partner – everyone that has played a part in it, and I am really grateful.”
Andrews, now a proud Queenslander, in a way was somewhat destined to play for the club having also been born in Fitzroy in 1996.
His family then moved to Queensland where he attended Padua College and played junior football for Aspley before being recruited to the Brisbane Lions Development Academy as a promising 17-year-old.
The former NEAFL under-18 leading goal kicker was then drafted to the Lions with pick 61 in the 2014 draft.
One person who has played a key role in the defender’s journey from his debut in 2015 right up to the eve of his 150th game is Lions backline coach Murray Davis.
“From early on Harris was someone keen to improve and learn about his craft, it really stood out to me how hungry and eager he was to study other key defenders and learn from his own teammates,” Davis said of the 25-year-old.
“For him to be playing his 150th is no surprise, it reflects his willingness to get better and his professionalism with all the time he has put in and the mountain of work he has done.
“He is such a competitor and when you are playing on the competition’s best forwards week in, and week out there is nowhere to hide.
“But he never shies away from the challenge or the contest, he just wants to know who he has got next and that gives you great confidence as a coach to go to him with a job.
Davis’ praise doesn’t stop at the on-field feats of the dual All-Australian, the Lions assistant rates Andrews as highly if not more highly as a person off the field.
The former NEAFL coach isn’t on his own there, with Andrews being one of the most loved Lions by teammates, staff and supporters.
“He’s got a great level of care for his teammates and people around the football club,” Davis added.
“He is always looking out for others and looking to make his teammates good as well.
“I respect him hugely; he is just a very humble person and respects those work around club.”
As one of the AFL’s ‘nice guys’, there’s no arguing Andrews warrants a fairytale ending to his milestone game.
The occasion could also double as his first ever win at the mighty MCG.
Standing in his way and in the way of the Lions winning their 11th game of the season to remain on top of the ladder is reigning premier Melbourne.
Though Andrews said the team is ready for the challenge.
“You’re not going to fear it, you’re not going to run away from it. It is just going to be a great challenge, two really good football teams going at it in a strong contest,” he said.
“You obviously set yourself for their best. They have a point to prove now, they have lost their last three games and probably aren’t playing the footy they want to play.
“But we are certainly aware of just how good they are as a football team and certainly respect the work they have done in the last 12 months.
“With that being said we think we have a great opportunity to go down there and play on their home deck and look forward to getting out on The ‘G again.”
